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Riddick Redux.
Spend enough time in the game industry and you'll have plenty of chances to hear all sorts of people with very thick accents blather on and on about "Ze revolushnery take-no-logies" that make their game so wonderful. Usually, a slide-show is involved, then a computer malfunction, followed up by some inside jokes, and then, our favorite part: free cocktails. As much fun as their games are to play, listening to developers ramble on about the audio-recording process and the troubles Siegfried had with the A.I. will wilt even the freshest of noobie journalists.
That's why the one new major inclusion to the PC port of Vivendi's Xbox hit The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay is so disappointing. The PC version is dubbed Developer's Cut for a good reason: once you beat the game, you unlock the ability to play back through "Commentary mode." Commentary mode is just like the regular game, but with little Starbreeze icons strewn about the environment. You walk up to one, press the Use key, and listen to a developer talk about the game. Thank God, because we had so many questions about the bump-mapping…
It's not that we don't care about the hard work and innovation behind Escape From Butcher Bay, it's that we just don't want to sit there and listen to some developer talk about it. While a view into the creative process is most welcome, we really would have preferred some more exciting enhancements in this port aside from one new scene.
That being said, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay is still a fantastic game, and if you don't own an Xbox, now is your chance to play one of the best action games of the year.
The Escape From Butcher Bay story lacks a concrete beginning or end, feeling more like a chapter in the saga of Richard B. Riddick, which I guess is fitting for a game that takes place as part of a chronicle. The only insight into Riddick's origin is provided by his renown among the Butcher Bay prisoners; even these bad-asses fear the guy. But as tough as Riddick may seem, he's been captured by the bounty hunter Johns, and is being sold into incarceration for the cancellation of a debt owed to the Warden.
While Johns' ship is preparing to land, Riddick has a dream that acts as a subtle tutorial. In the dream, Riddick kills Johns and tries to escape from the prison. Throughout this short sequence, the player gets cues from Riddick and short explanations of his abilities. For example, as Riddick passes through a doorway into a dark area he'll say something along the lines of 'No one will see me now,' which is accompanied by a dialogue box explaining crouching/shadows and the general stealth mechanics of the game.
Even though formalities such as tutorials, dialogue boxes and life-bars are essential to video games, the developers did a great job emphasizing the cinematic qualities of Escape
From Butcher Bay by getting rid of the HUD. What Riddick sees is what you see. If you look down, you see your legs and/or shadow. When you jump, you see your hands move to balance you. Riddick does have a life bar, although it's only visible during combat situations. The result is highly immersive.
Unfortunately, Escape From Butcher Bay's similarity to a film extends to its linearity. There are two short episodes that are open-ended and non-linear, but most of the game involves skulking through a room or down a corridor and killing whatever you come across in order to get to the next checkpoint save. Also, the plot threads introduced in these sequences never go anywhere. You never see any of the prisoners you speak to later, so there is no sense of plot continuity at all.
But in all honesty, this doesn't really get in the way of the terrific gameplay. Escape
From Butcher Bay is played entirely from a first-person perspective, except when Riddick does something like climb a crate or kick out a grate. If Riddick is crouching and enters the shadows, his field of vision will assume a blue-tint, meaning guards cannot see him. And if Riddick is able to sneak up behind a guard, he can either grab the guard and kill him silently or go for a quick, noisy kill.
When killing simply isn't an option, Riddick can use the environment
to his advantage by scaling walls, crawling through ducts and shimmying along
ledges. Even though Riddick's maneuvering capabilities aren't new or particularly
diverse, the environments are so realistic and well-conceptualized that creeping
through them never gets old. The only feature I really miss is the ability to
distract the guards. Riddick can't whistle or throw things or bang on surfaces
to misdirect his enemies, making him less sneaky than he ought to be.
Riddick is in prison, he normally has little in the way of weaponry apart from
his fists or a shiv. And since most of the guards are heavily armed, Riddick
has to be extremely careful in dispatching them. Fortunately, if discovered,
Riddick can still kick ass the old-fashioned way. Melee combat is handled exceptionally
well for a first-person game, including the ability to string together combos.
During melee combat, your enemies are wonderfully nuanced. All enemies use combos,
some are more aggressive than others, some punch faster than others, and all
take extremely realistic-looking damage to their faces. Whack an enemy with
a blunt object and the marks on their face are different than is you used something
sharp, like a screwdriver or scalpel. After landing a few solid blows, a big
hit will stagger your enemy, leaving him wide open. At this point you can land
big shot after big shot to quickly put your foe out of commission. The whole
thing works beautifully.
The gunplay isn't quite as well-implemented as the fisticuffs. Riddick eventually finds a tranq-gun, a hand-gun, a shotgun, an assault rifle, and a mini-gun. However, the hit detection isn't great; most enemies don't seem to react to getting shot physically until they die. If you manage to get extremely close to an enemy and blast him with the shotgun, for example, you may notice a slight flinch rather than a satisfying lurch.
Also, the enemies aren't the smartest lot. They aren't stupid, but they never go through doors and frequently stand out in the open waiting for you to show yourself. They throw grenades, but only during scripted sequences. Not bad, but not Half-Life, either.
What's so cool about the stealth/shooter mix is the way you'll go from being entirely unarmed, to bristling with guns, to entirely unarmed again. After being a death-machine for a good hour, the player will have to readjust to discretion. This adds a sensation of helplessness and vulnerability to the stealth portions, as well as a feeling of euphoria when you finally get your hands on a good gun again.
Part of that euphoria, though, might be attributed to the game's sweet graphics. Thanks to some fancy 'normal-mapping,' Escape
From Butcher Bay can boast stunningly realistic environments. The entire prison world is beautifully and fully conceptualized, from the sickly green and orange lighting to the cracks in the doors.
A couple minor visual issues that affected the Xbox version make a return in the PC port; namely, some unsightly seams during cut-scenes and the way Riddick is forced to look through his knee-cap when crouching and sniping. Of course, the transition to the PC format allows for better framerates and a smoother feel, but it also opens the doors for technical issues. If you're using a Geforce 6800 card, Riddick's eye-flash will bug out if he gets too close to objects like walls, grates or boxes. This can seriously affect the gameplay, because you'll be creeping around in the dark and suddenly, everything will go black. At least it isn't a widespread video card issue, but 6800 users should take heed.
Escape From Butcher Bay sounds terrific, mainly thanks
to Vin Diesel and his supporting cast of voice talent. Diesel's voice is perfect
for video games, and his character manages to come off as bad-ass with a sense
of humor rather than an ass with a bad sense of humor. The most notable cast
member is Ron Perlman, who provides the role of Jagger Valance, yet he
only speaks a handful of lines. The bulk of the game's sound effects are absolutely
incredible, with blaring gun-fire, commanders barking orders through crackly
PA systems and generally excellent ambient sounds. Even the score is good, although
parts of it sound lifted straight from Metal
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is good for about 12-15 hours of compelling single-player gameplay, but unfortunately there isn't much keeping you coming back for more. A few other difficulty settings are here alongside some unlockable movies and commentary mode, but that's not much, and amazingly the game features no multiplayer at all. It's a shame.
But despite the fact that The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape
From Butcher Bay – Developer's Cut is a somewhat short, linear romp with few enhancements over the Xbox version,
it still makes a good addition to any PC game collection with its awesome environments, savage melee combat and smooth pacing. So drop the soap and grab this game.


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Benidorm - Spain's Costa Blanca - Sat 9th Feb 2019
- 期間: 17 日
We have been taking groups to Benidorm for many years and like to think that we have the balance right offering fantastic value for money and a good standard of accommodation. Benidorm is one of the most popular resorts anywhere in Europe with so much to offer the visitor. There are two magnificent beaches and level promenades to stroll along.
Blessed by the lovely Mediterranean climate, people from all over Europe flock to the Costa Blanca out of season to enjoy the warmer climate. Our tours to Benidorm have 2 overnight stops on route - one in France and one in Spain. During the journey you can sit back, relax and enjoy the changing scenery in comfort.
We have regular comfort stops during the journey and a main stop for lunch
After being collected from your home around 6.30am we travel to Kent for our Eurotunnel Crossing. We shall arrive at the excellent overnight Ibis Hotel near Saran, (Bed & Breakfast) at approximately 7.30pm.
Leaving the hotel after breakfast we travel through southern France before entering Spain and arriving at our second overnight hotel in Lloret de Mar. The Hotel Olympic Park offers excellent accommodation with a huge choice of food for dinner. (included)
Onwards to Benidorm. Arriving at the hotel around 5.00pm
Relax, settle into your excellent hotel and enjoy the facilities and happy atmosphere around Benidorm. During your time in the town we have included 2 half day excursions - to the pretty market town of Moraira + the larger resort of Calpe. We shall also organise some optional excursions.
Sadly we must depart Benidorm and head home. We follow our outward route and arrive at the Hotel Olympic Park Hotel in Lloret de Mar around 5.00pm. (Dinner inc.)
We travel through France arriving at the Ibis Hotel at Auxerre around 7.30pm (B & B).
We head back to Calais for the late afternoon Eurotunnel Crossing. Returning to your home at approximately 9.00pm.
Meal Plan – 12 Nights Full Board, 2 Nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast, 2 Nights Bed & Breakfast
4* Princesa Hotel
The 4* Hotel Princesa has proved to be very popular with our customers over the past few years. The hotel is located in an excellent position, adjacent to the old town area of Benidorm and only 400 metres from the long, sandy Levante beach. Within a few minutes there is a choice of bars, restaurants and shops. There are excellent public areas and comfortable bedrooms. The hotel offers a superb selection of food during our stay with an extensive buffet to enjoy. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms with air conditioning/heating, telephone, satellite TV, minibar, hairdryer and balcony. (No balcony on single occupancy rooms) There are superb leisure facilities with indoor and outdoor pools, terrace and jacuzzi (fees may apply). There will also be entertainment every night!

subset: commoncrawl


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8 ways to soak up the Southwest in fall
8 ways to soak up the Southwest in fall
Village vibe in Arroyo Seco, NM
Fall's golds and reds are at their height in this tiny, eclectic village 9 miles north of Taos.
Right at the foot of towering Taos Mountain, Arroyo Seco is perfect for an outdoor adventure on horseback through streams, rocky cliffs, and changing leaves.
In town, country meets bohemian with tons of eco-friendly finds. America's favorite boho sweetheart, Julia Roberts, even lives on a secluded ranch nearby.
Published at


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Brazil Pledges Ambitious Emissions Reductionsby -
New targets and deforestation numbers put Brazil in the spotlight.
The government of Brazil announced last Friday that it will reduce its emissions by at least 36% from business as usual by 2020. This dramatic (though non-binding) target came in the wake of news that Brazilian deforestation is currently at its lowest level since measurement began over twenty years ago. As the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen approach, what do these numbers actually mean?
A Look at the Numbers
First, it is important to clarify that the target is a 36 - 39% drop from "business as usual" (BAU), not from current emissions levels. (BAU levels are based on projections of future emissions if no action is taken.) This translates to a 15 - 18% reduction from 2005 levels. Even so, these numbers look relatively ambitious in the international context, especially considering that Brazil is a developing country and does not have a quantitative emission reduction obligation under the Kyoto Protocol. By comparison, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June would reduce U.S. emissions by 14% over the same period.
Brazil's expected reductions by sector are shown in the table below:
|2005 (MtCO2e)1
|BAU 2020 (MtCO2e)2
|Targeted range for 2020 (MtCO2e)3
|Targeted change relative to BAU (%)4
|Targeted change relative to 2005 (%)5
|Planned interventions6
|Land Use
|Reduction of deforestation in the Amazon by 80%; reduction of deforestation in the Cerrado by 40%
|Agriculture and Ranching
|461 - 494
|(4.9 - 6.1)
|(1.4) - 5.7
|Recuperation of pastures, interated farming and ranching, no-till, biological nitrogen fixation
|694 - 735
|(6.1 - 7.7)
|48.9 - 107
|Energy efficiency, biofuels, hydropower, alternative sources (e.g. wind)
|82 - 84
|(0.3 - 0.4)
|33.8 - 37
|Substitution of charcoal from deforestation in pig iron production
|1651 - 1728
|(36.1 - 38.9)
|(18.4 - 14.6)
Over half of the proposed reductions are expected to come from efforts already underway to stem deforestation in the Amazon, which accounts for about two-thirds of Brazil's total emissions. Yet it is unclear how much of the recent drop in deforestation is due to policy changes, such as the recent crack-down on illegal logging and enhanced enforcement of land licensing, versus the economic crisis, which has reduced global demand for the beef and soy production that has traditionally driven deforestation.
Another point of contention regarding the design of the target was the calculation of BAU emissions. The government has not released its methodology for the projections, and there is debate as to what economic growth rate should have been assumed in the calculations. Using a higher growth rate would result in higher estimates of BAU emissions, and an inflated BAU would make Brazil's percent reduction target relatively easier to achieve. The Ministry of Environment had initially put forward an estimate based on a 4% economic growth rate, and the administration, in turn, suggested using 5% or 6%, which some environmentalists consider unrealistically high.
Reaction from Environmental Groups
Nonetheless, the reaction from Brazilian environmental groups has been mostly positive, with some reservations. According to João Talocchi of Greenpeace, "Two years ago, if you said the word 'target,' [the government] wanted to revoke your passport and deport you. This is a change that could help in the Copenhagen negotiations." But environmentalists are also criticizing the lack of transparency in the process of developing the target, and demanding that the government release its calculations, update the national inventory, enshrine in national policy the steps that will be taken to implement the goal, and include the target in the Copenhagen agreement, presumably because this may lead to international monitoring and verification of the results.
Developing Countries Take Action
Brazil's announcement, three weeks before the December COP-15 climate negotiations, may help put pressure on wealthier nations to make similar pledges. Brazil is not alone; other major developing countries have stepped forward with significant proposals as well. Mexico has pledged to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. South Africa has presented a detailed plan to peak its national emissions by 2020. China has launched an effort to reduce energy intensity 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2010, and has said it will reduce its carbon intensity by "a notable margin" by 2020. (Most of these proposals are contingent on financial support from developed countries.) While it looks increasingly unlikely that a deal will be finalized in December, negotiations are expected to continue, and the question of how the mitigation burden should be shared both between and among developed and developing countries will continue to be contentious.
Brazil's new agenda is a politically important step, and it is significant that the Brazilian government is now willing to take on a target (even a voluntary one). This is a real change in tone from the administration. Developed countries, and especially the U.S., will have to take note and put forward their own ambitious targets. Yet Brazil's target will be meaningless unless significant steps are taken to implement it. This means continuing to improve the management of the Amazon by clarifying and implementing land tenure laws, addressing excessive fire outbreaks, and reducing subsidies to competing land uses that drive deforestation; tackling emissions from agriculture and ranching; and reversing the trend of increasing carbon intensity in the energy sector. The world will be watching to see how Brazil approaches these challenges in the years to come. In the meantime, other countries must step up to the plate and match Brazil's ambition.
Cerri et al., "Brazilian Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Importance of Agriculture and Livestock. Sci. Agric. v. 66, n. 6, p. 831 – 843, Nov/Dec 2009 ↩
MMA et al., Cenários para Oferta Brasileira de Mitigação de Emissões, https://www.mma.gov.br/estruturas/182/_arquivos/cenarioemissoes_182.pdf, accessed 11/16/09 ↩
Calculated based on MMA et al. ↩
MMA et al. ↩
Calculated by author based on Cerri et al. and MMA et al. ↩
MMA et al. ↩


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Victims Right to a Review (VRR)
Victims Right to a Review (VRR) relates to a right for a victim to ask for a review of a decision not to prosecute a suspect.
The right of a victim to request such a review was considered in the case of R v Killick and is set out in Article 11 of the EU Directive on Victims (EU Directive), which came into effect in November 2015. Article 11 of the EU Directive provides that, 'Member States shall ensure that victims....have the right to a review of a decision not to prosecute', and the Directive makes clear that this includes decisions made by, 'law enforcement authorities such as Police Officers'.
There is a separate avenue for requesting a review of a CPS decision not to prosecute; details of this can be found on the CPS website.
Police VRR will only apply to cases in which a suspect has been identified and interviewed under caution, either following an arrest or by voluntary arrangement. An 'interview' in this context relates to situations where a suspect has an allegation put to them in some detail as opposed to limited questioning that might take place in the immediate aftermath of an incident, for instance during a stop and search.
Police VRR will only apply to decisions that were made on or after 1 April 2015. The scheme does not apply retrospectively to decisions taken before that date.
The following cases DO NOT fall within the scope of Police VRR:
- Cases where no suspect has been identified and interviewed, for instance investigations that are filed 'at source'
- Cases where charges are brought in respect of some (but not all) allegations made or against some (but not all) possible suspects
- Cases where a charge is brought that relates to the matter complained about by the victim but the offence charged differs from the crime that was recorded; for instance the suspect is charged with common assault but an offence of actual bodily harm has been recorded
- Cases which are concluded by way of out of court disposal; and
- Cases where the victim retracts their complaint or refuses to co-operate with the investigation and a decision is therefore taken not to charge/not to refer the case to the CPS for a charging decision
It should be noted that VRR specifically relates to decisions not to prosecute and does not cover crime recording decisions or decisions not to continue with enquiries.
Police VRR will only apply to National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) offences.
Any victim in a qualifying case where a decision is made not to prosecute is entitled to seek a review of that decision.
A victim is defined as per The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime 2013 (Victims' Code): 'a person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss which was directly caused by criminal conduct'.
This includes:
- Close relatives of a person whose death was directly caused by criminal conduct
- Parents or guardians where the main victim is a child or youth under 18
- Police Officers who are victims of crime
- Family spokespersons of victims with a disability or who are so badly injured that they cannot communicate
- Businesses, providing they give a named point of contact
In writing, detailing victim's name, suspect's name (if known), offence, and case reference number.
By email
You can email the Criminal Justice Department at [email protected]
In writing
By writing to Police Headquarters at the below address:-
Sam Heatley, Connect Gwent, Blackwood Police Station, Blackwood Rd, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, NP12 2XA
When a victim requests a review of a decision it should be acknowledged within 10 working days.
Victims should be allowed to request a review within 3 months of being notified of the case being filed, as this is the period during which they can request a judicial review.
Forces should, wherever possible, complete the review and communicate the decision to the victim within an overall timeframe of 30 working days (i.e. 6 weeks from receipt of the request from the victim).
Where the case is particularly complex or sensitive, it may not be possible to provide a VRR decision within the usual time limits. In such cases, forces should notify the victim accordingly and provide regular updates on the progress of the review.
There are six potential outcomes of a review:
- The original decision to take no further action is upheld
- The original decision is overturned and proceedings are commenced against the suspect, i.e. they are charged/summonsed
- The original decision is overturned and the suspect is dealt with by way of an out of court disposal
- The original decision is overturned and the case is referred to the CPS for a charging decision
- It is determined that further enquires need to be completed before the reviewing officer can make their decision
- The original decision is overturned but the case is statute-barred and proceeding cannot be instigated
A victim who remains dissatisfied with the outcome of the police review and wishes to pursue the matter further can apply to the High Court for a judicial review.
It is possible that a victim could appeal a Police decision not to prosecute resulting in that decision being overturned and the matter being referred to the CPS for a charging decision. The CPS could then decide to take no further action and the victim would then be entitled to ask for a review of the CPS decision under the CPS VRR scheme and ultimately to refer the matter for a judicial review.


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Audio and video used in conjunction with cabling connectors are key components for presenting audio and video through cabling so that the receiver can get audio and/or video signals.
Audio and video connector and adaptor types
- Jack connectors - used for headphone/audio jacks to connect the majority of phones via AUX cables to cars to stereos.
- XLR connectors - used predominantly for professional audio and video equipment, often used in theatre for the lighting.
- High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) - for transmitting digital audio and video signals, a very common connector type found on most modern electrical devices.
- DVI Connectors – used to transmit both digital and analogue video signals.
Other assorted audio and video connectors-there are a wide range of audio and video connectors available on our website that can be used for single or multiple signals, you will find these connectors on the end of any cabling. You would most likely have ports to fit these connectors on your tv.
We carry a wide variety of cables which are used for multiple purposes that have different ports on each end, for example, a VGA to HDMI connection or the standard cabling with the same ports on each end. For audio cable and visual cable see here.


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Posted by Editoress on 08/10/13
Fat Tire Crit Riders Sprint To Victory In Opening Event Of Crankworx Whistler
Crankworx Whistler kicked off today with a high-energy start with a display of fitness, bike handling skills and strategy in the Fat Tire Crit. Excited fans gathered in full force to cheer at the opening event of Crankwork Whistler's 10th Anniversary, which had riders circling an 800 metre loop around Whistler Olympic Plaza and pedaling flat out for the majority of their near 20 minute race.
Riders raced elbow to elbow in a pack as they lapped Whistler Olympic Plaza and made tactical moves throughout the race not to be caught by the motorbike pulling up the end of the pack and subsequently removing riders from the race. In the women's race, second place finisher Leah Guloien appeared to have a confident lead on Jean Ann Berkenpas until Berkenpas out-sprinted her in the last 10 meters of the race. "I tried to get away early on, but there were enough strong girls to chase me," recounts Berkenpas. "When Leah made a breakaway I worked to stay with her and managed to sprint away from her at the very end."
A criterium, or crit, is traditionally a road bike race held on a short course on blocked-off city streets. Crankworx Whistler has put its own spin on the event by requiring all participants to race on mountain bikes with 26, 27.5 or 29 inch wheels. The 800 metre closed course around Whistler Olympic Plaza was primarily paved with a short crushed gravel section and each lap took riders an average of 40-45 seconds to complete.
In his second consecutive year of winning the Fat Tire Crit, Bend, Oregon native, and Giant Bicycles rider, Carl Decker called the course "scary in places," and admitted his win wasn't easy. "It was so tight between riders," says Decker. "It was about maintaining focus and not making errors. Letting your tires drift on pavement is pretty scary."
1 Jean Ann Berkenpas
2 Leah Guloien
3 Brandi Heisterman
1 Carl Decker
2 Spencer Paxson
3 Greg Day
After the Fat Tire Crit award ceremony, the Bud Light Crankworx Concert Series began on the Crankworx Main Stage in Whistler Olympic Plaza. Vancouver-based quartet, Rich Hope and His Evil Doers played a bluesy opening set, followed up by headliner Matt Mays and his light rock melodies, perfect for a summer night. The Bud Light Crankworx Concert Series is partially funded by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) through the Province of British Columbia's Resort Municipality Initiative grant.
Saturday Crankworx has a full day of sport and music lined up with the Dual Speed & Style from 5-7pm in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and Mother Mother and Daniel Wesley on the Bud Light Crankworx Concert Series Main Stage in Whistler Olympic Plaza following the awards ceremony.
On Sunday the SRAM Canadian Open Enduro, presented by Specialized, which is the fifth stop on the newly created Enduro World Series tour, will commence in and around the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. For more information about the SRAM Canadian Open Enduro, presented by Specialized and all other Crankworx Whistler events, visit www.crankworx.com.
Press release
|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top


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Recently, The Uttar Pradesh Staff selection commission has given a notification for the vacant post of Pharmacist. Most of the organizations are opting for computer based online mode of examination. So, a student needs to practice the question papers in online mod before appearing for the exam.
Mocktime provides Online test series for Pharmacist. Online tests are based on latest pattern and of same difficulty level as of actual exam.
A student can also attempt online mock practice test by clicking the link given below. To register for online test series click the link given below.
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MSNBC devotes a full day to branding anti-establishment candidate a racist bigot
Steve Watson
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Related: Desperate Establishment Launch Baseless "Racist" Attacks On Rand Paul
Related: The Establishment Is In Full Blown Panic Over Rand Paul
Would be Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has hit back at a desperate and sustained mainstream media attempt to smear him as a racist extremist following his historic primary victory earlier this week.
Paul appeared on ABC's Good Morning America today to make it clear that the attacks against him regarding views he expressed on the Civil Rights Act, which we covered in our article yesterday, are "red herrings" and part of an establishment effort to "trash" his campaign.
"I've just been trashed up and down and they have been saying things that are untrue. And when they say I'm for repealing the Civil Rights Act, it's absolutely false. It's never been my position and something that I basically just think is politics." Paul said.
Following Paul's initial appearance on Wednesday's Rachel Maddow program, during which the MSNBC host suggested Paul would tolerate racial segregation because he opposes federal government regulation, the cable network devoted a full day of coverage to the same talking point.
Despite Paul's repeated statements that he did not tolerate discrimination or racism in any form, and that he supported the Civil Rights Act in totality, MSNBC wheeled out its liberal attack dogs in the form of Jesse Jackson, Democratic Congressman James Clyburn, liberal professors Boyce Watkins and Michael Eric Dyson and Democratic strategist Karen Finney. The network aired eight different segments totaling 37 minutes, without a single guest to defend Rand Paul's position or provide any balance whatsoever.
Yesterday Paul's opponent in the Senate race, Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, now lagging behind Paul by a whopping 25 points according to a Rasmussen survey, claimed that Paul had said he wanted to "repeal" the Civil Rights Act, a blatantly false accusation that prompted Paul to issue a corrective statement. Ridiculously, Paul had to clarify that he did not wish to repeal the Civil Rights Act:
"Even though this matter was settled when I was 2, and no serious people are seeking to revisit it except to score cheap political points, I unequivocally state that I will not support any efforts to repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964." Paul's statement read.
"Let me be clear: I support the Civil Rights Act because I overwhelmingly agree with the intent of the legislation, which was to stop discrimination in the public sphere and halt the abhorrent practice of segregation and Jim Crow laws. As I have said in previous statements, sections of the Civil Rights Act were debated on Constitutional grounds when the legislation was passed. Those issues have been settled by federal courts in the intervening years." the statement concluded.
Despite Paul's statement, the smear machine went into overdrive and even led to comments from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who said "I think the issues that, that many fought for in the '50s and the '60s were settled a long time ago in landmark legislation and the discussion about whether or not to support those, I don't think, shouldn't have a place in our political dialogue in 2010."
The LA Times devoted its front page to the smear attack, meanwhile, Organizing for America, an Obama campaign group run by the Democratic National Committee began emailing thousands of people on it's mailing list in an effort to convince them that Rand Paul supports segregation and that there should be a "massive public outcry".
Late yesterday afternoon, Sen. John Cornyn (Tex.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, also issued a statement, noting that "It is apparent that the Democrats are trying to twist Rand Paul's words and create an issue that does not exist because they are rightfully worried that he is leading Jack Conway,".
A fired up Paul hit out further at the establishment left's political smear campaign on Good Morning America today:
"If you want to bring up 40-year-old legislation, why don't you bring me on with Sen. [Robert] Byrd, and we'll talk about how he filibustered the Civil Rights Act," Paul said of the 92-year-old West Virginia Democrat. "Make him, call him to task for something he actually did as opposed to calling me to task for something they insinuated that I might believe that's not true."
"What is going on here is an attempt to vilify us for partisan reasons. Where do your talking points come from? The Democratic National Committee, they also come from Rachel Maddow and MSNBC." he added.
Watch the video:
Rand Paul's father, Congressman Ron Paul, defended his son on Thursday, describing the smear attacks as "overkill".
"I don't think he has anything to recover from," the elder Paul said in comments reported by Politico. "Get out there and talk to the people … You're talking about recovery. That's an insult."
Ron Paul also refused to comment on his views on the constitutionality of the powers granted to the federal government in the area of civil rights, noting that his comments would only be taken out of context and used to further smear his son. Instead he pointed to a chapter in his forthcoming book in which he addresses the matter.
Historian Tom Woods, who has contributed to Ron Paul's best-selling books, addresses the smear campaign using concise and eloquent language:
The Left is going after Rand Paul over the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Why, Rand Paul secretly wants to repeal it, they say, which means we'd have segregated restaurants all over again. Now any non-hysteric knows a segregated restaurant would be boycotted and picketed out of existence within ten seconds, but we're supposed to fret about fictional outcomes from the repeal of a law that will never be repealed. And certainly we cannot question the 1964 Act, since our betters have decided the matter is closed.
Of course, someone might have objected to that Act on the grounds that it would of course lead to affirmative action, since racially proportionate hiring is the only practical way to prove one has not been "discriminating." One might also object to the law on constitutional grounds, or on the grounds that (as has indeed happened) it would lead to legally protected classes whose members simply cannot be fired, since their employers know they will be hit with groundless but costly and time-consuming litigation. (Incidentally, black employment statistics saw far more progress in the one year before the 1964 Act than in the two years after it.)
As the Left sees it, none of these reasonable concerns can be the "real reason" for opposition to the 1964 Act. The real motivation is (what else?) a sinister and arbitrary desire to oppress blacks and other minorities for no good reason. The Left's opponents are always and everywhere wicked and twisted people, who spend their time wondering how they can cause gratuitous harm to black people they have never met. Don't believe me? Read the comments to this Politico article. These people have never in their lives deviated from what Official Opinion has demanded they believe. Without federal guns, we'd be back in the Dark Ages. The Left has its bogeymen and the neocons have theirs. The outcome is always the same: more power to the monopolists with the guns, and the unshakeable conviction that peaceful remedies are impossible.
Leading Libertarians have lauded Rand Paul, noting that his stance is at the core of Libertarian philosophy. True liberty requires a society in which all people can live and thrive without coercion from controlling forces such as the federal government.
Such core principles the are at the foundation of the U.S. Constitution.
George Washington said "Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."
Should racial discrimination be overcome by reason or by force?
This notion is at the heart of Rand Paul's stance on civil rights. Those who equate this notion with racist beliefs are either intellectually incapable of grasping it or are purposefully seeking to defame those who embrace it.
Instead of running to the federal government for protection from and a quick fix to everything that is socially reprehensible, it is time for all of the afore mentioned detractors – from Maddow, through all her minions at MSNBC and their zombie choir – to look at the bigger picture, to wake up, grow up, break out of their pre programmed political paradigm.
Without such an awakening, discrimination and divisions will always exist and will always be taken advantage of by those who seek to control our society.
This article was posted: Friday, May 21, 2010 at 9:14 am


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Obituary: Dawn Cone
Dawn Earnest (D. E.) Cone was born Dec. 7, 1927, in Hot Springs, S.D. But he really began making a life in 1955 at the C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colo.
Dawn, who never corrected those who believed his name was Don, was the eldest son of Rufus Dana Cone and Jeannette Ardella (Freer) Cone. He had a brother, Blaine, one year and eight months younger and a little sister Lona, 4.5 years his junior.
In 1935, the family pulled up their stakes in South Dakota and traveled to Washington State. During their ten years in the Pacific Northwest, they moved five times to Snoqualmie Falls, North Bend, Tenino, Adna, and Stevenson. For the extremely introverted young boy, the moves were difficult, but he persevered, both in his school work and helping his family with their dairy goats.
When Dawn was almost 18, the family moved back to South Dakota. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1950 and served in Korea. Upon being honorably discharged after two years, he returned to South Dakota. After a short time breaking horses and working solo in a cow camp, his brother, Blaine, who was working at the C Lazy U at the time, convinced Dawn to move to Granby and wrangle horses and guests.
And so he did – longer than 40 years as an employee of the C Lazy U (described as their 'forever head horse wrangler' on their web page) and every year thereafter in 'retirement' returning to his beloved horses and guests.
His other great passion was skiing – downhill and cross country. When 'scolded' by friends and family for not letting anyone know where and when he was going to go skiing, even into his 80s, he would reply "if that is how I die, I'll be happy." And so it was. Dawn was found Feb. 8, 2013, in his beloved mountains, his skis still on. Family and friends take solace that it was a quick passing in a beautiful setting.
Though never married, the C Lazy U ranch owners, management, employees and guests through the years, and the community of Granby, became his extended family. This is evidenced by all the letters, cards and photos he cherished. And also by the many postings from around the country on the C Lazy U's Facebook page. His family, Blaine and Edith Cone, and Lona Cone Merrill, as well as nieces and a nephew wish to thank everyone for their love and respect for Dawn. He really was never alone.
A memorial service will be held in late spring, date to be decided, at his "home" – the C Lazy U Ranch. For donations in lieu of flowers, please make 501(c)3 tax deductible checks payable to Grand County Search and Rescue, P.O. Box 172, Winter Park, CO 80482 – Dawn Cone Memorial.
The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to the ranch, Connie, Dale, Jude and Bill; to Leif Forrester and the Murray's; and to Sheri Lock for their assistance during a very difficult time.
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9/11 Five Years Later...
Written on 12:00 AM by Jack B.
Like many, I remember where I was 5 years ago, I can recall almost all of my movements from that day. I remember getting ready for school, listening to the radio, when the announcer suddenly said a plane had crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center. I turned on the TV to see the news, and saw the second tower hit. "This was no accident", the thought crossed my mind instantly, as it must have done to so many others. I still went to school, classes were cancelled (big surprise, huh?), but it's amazing what one's priorities are even in times of trauma. I don't think it had all sunk in yet.
I went to my grandmother's house and watched events unfold on TV with my cousins - watched as the towers collapsed, one right after the other, like a house of cards, into dust and debris. The two tallest structures in New York City, two of the tallest building in the world, more than 3,000 human lives and countless thousands other changed forever - and all at the hands of a literal handful of cold-blooded fanatics. Not to mention the hundreds of lives lost at the Pentagon and United 93 over Pennsylvania.
Maybe I'm naive but I don't understand that kind of evil. I cannot fathom minds that can so cold-bloodily, so methodically kill other human beings. But such people do exist, such people continue to seek the end of civilization as we know it. For these people the event of September 11, 2001 were just the beginning but for rest of us it MUST be the end. It's easy to forget , days, weeks can go by and I don't think about it. Then something or another will bring me to downtown Manhattan and see the large gaping hole where Towers 1 & 2 once stood and the memories come back. Of my sisters picking up debris from the WTC miles away across the Hudson at her H.S. running track. At my father breaking down at his job because he thought my mother was in the area when it happened (she was but not that close), of the hours my family spent worrying about my uncle who worked in Tower 1 and waiting to see if he was OK (he was). Of watching the TV helplessly, knowing that just a few hours walk from where I was, thousands of my fellow New Yorkers were losing their lives.
At the time my greatest feelings were of loss, sadness and helplessness - and I wasn't nearly as affected as others were. That's why we can never forget 9/11, never stop commemorating its anniversary - so America never forgets. With our very lives and futures at stake, we don't have that option.


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After first week, positive signs for Utley, Howard
CHICAGO -- Chase Utley and Ryan Howard slipped out of the cramped clubhouse at Wrigley Field without a word on Sunday afternoon.
They made their noise on the field in an 8-3 loss to the Cubs.
Utley doubled, walked, was hit by a pitch and knocked in a run. Howard went a loud 0-for-5, hitting two balls to the warning track, one to center and one to left. He also hit two hard line drives, one that Cubs second baseman Emilio Bonifacio caught in right field because he timed his jump perfectly and had been playing the shift, the other to deep left field to end the game.
"He hit the baseball on the screws, right at people," Jimmy Rollins said of Howard. "That's a good sign. Eventually, those balls will start backspinning and getting out of the yard."
If Utley consistently produces in the No. 3 hole and Howard gets a few of those balls to backspin like Rollins said, it would be a tremendous boost for a team that scored the fourth-fewest runs in baseball last season. Despite missing the postseason each of the past two years, the Phillies opened the season last week in Texas with a franchise-record payroll.
They are all-in with such veterans as Utley and Howard.
It is just six games, but Utley is hitting .458 with three doubles, two home runs, six RBIs, three walks, two strikeouts and a National League-leading 1.369 OPS. Howard is hitting .240 with one double, one home run, three RBIs, three walks, nine strikeouts and a .721 OPS.
Utley had a nice 2013 following two seasons plagued by knee injuries, so there has been less focus on him entering 2014, although a poor Spring Training had more than a few anxious fans concerned.
Naturally, Utley never worried.
"Obviously, you're looking for results in Spring Training," Utley said, "but being around for a while, I know that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is to try to get your rhythm going into the season."
But Howard has been the center of attention. He missed much of the previous two seasons because of injuries to his left leg, and the Phillies need him to produce in order to have a shot to win.
Are there reasons to be encouraged?
"He's swinging the bat well," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "I like him staying in the middle of the field the way he's doing, and he's going to left-center field with pitches, he's driving the ball. He hit the last on the nose to left field [on Sunday]. Those are all good signs. He's squaring the balls up and he's having real good aggressive swings and contact. And also, he's swinging at strikes. That's a good combination for him."
The Phils have faced three left-handed starting pitchers in their first six games, which is something to consider when looking at Howard's early results, because southpaws have been his kryptonite. He hit just .173 (31-for-179) with nine home runs, 29 RBIs, eight walks and 84 strikeouts against them the past two years. Howard's .575 OPS against lefties in that span ranked 288th out of 304 hitters with 150 or more plate appearances against them.
Howard had struggled so much against lefties that Sandberg said during the offseason that he would consider platooning Howard at first base for the betterment of the team if he did not improve.
But both of Howard's extra-base hits and each of his three RBIs have come against lefties. He also singled off Cubs left-hander Travis Wood on Friday, which set up another Phillies run. Of course, it must be noted that seven of Howard's nine strikeouts are against lefties, with more than a few coming after he chased a pitch far outside the strike zone.
That's what makes Howard's first week so interesting -- 14 at-bats against lefties, three clutch hits, seven strikeouts.
"Those lefties in Texas were tough," Marlon Byrd said. "The more he sees lefties, the more pitches he sees, he can pull that ball closer to him. He's really starting to find that groove. The big thing is, he's healthy. When you're healthy, you can get extra work in the cage, extra work in BP, making sure he's keeping that front hip in. That's a big key with him facing righties and lefties. But it's very tough to do against lefties, because they come from behind him and he doesn't see that many."
Rollins also believes that Howard's health is key.
"He's getting back on his legs, which is something he hasn't been able to do in a number of years," Rollins said. "So we're starting to see him come around, getting used to being on his legs again. It's going to be a good thing for him."
If Utley and Howard hit, it will be a very good thing for the Phillies, who open a 10-game homestand on Tuesday against the Brewers. The Phils are 3-3, and Sunday's loss was the first time they never held a lead in a game.
Rollins said that it would be nice to play well at Citizens Bank Park, to "get the fans back in the seats. Get it back to the baseball that we know and they know."
Utley and Howard hitting together at the same time is something fans knew for a long time.
"We haven't had that in maybe about four years," Rollins said. "It's a good start. First week is done, and we're off to going home and playing good baseball."


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By Alanna Durkin
Associated Press
LANSING (AP) -- State health officials laid out long-term goals Monday designed to improve access to services for the estimated 50,000 people living with autism spectrum disorders in Michigan, including more early screening and the creation of a state resource center to provide families with information about services.
The Autism Spectrum Disorders State Plan revealed by the Michigan Department of Community Health and Autism Council identifies gaps in the availability of services and makes recommendations for how to improve the lives of adults and children with autism spectrum disorders. The group of developmental brain disorders includes autism, Asperger syndrome and Rett syndrome.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, whose daughter in kindergarten has been diagnosed with autism, said the overall goal is that eventually, "Michigan will be the place to be if you're a family that is living with an autism spectrum disorder."
The plan calls for increased early screening for autism spectrum disorders by primary care providers to allow those who need treatment to get it sooner.
According to the report, many primary care providers are not aware of the early signs of autism spectrum disorders. The report calls for more and better training of primary care providers to help them identify symptoms that could point to a disorder.
Amy Matthews, vice-chair of the Autism Council, said the number of children diagnosed with autism is "continuing to rise dramatically." According to the report, one in every 88 children is affected by an autism spectrum disorder today.
Another area the state needs to focus on is services for adults on the autism spectrum, according to the report.
More than 45 percent of parents with children ages 13 to 25 said they needed better access to things like higher education and employment services to help their child transition to adulthood, according to the report.
The report calls for the creation of a state resource center where adults living with autism and their families can get information and be connected to available services.
The plan will be implemented by the Autism Council, a group within the MDCH, which was created last June when Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed an executive order. The department did not lay out a timeline for when the entire plan will be put in place.
Last year, Calley signed a bill mandating that insurance companies provide coverage for autism treatment for children. Starting in October, insurers have been able to be reimbursed through a $15 million autism coverage incentive fund.
To date, the state has reimbursed only about $13,500 from that fund in claims, said Al Pohl, finance director for the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, in an email.
The fund has been underutilized in part because there aren't enough behavioral therapists in Michigan to meet demand, Calley said. "There just wasn't anybody to get the services from," he said.
He said over the last year, more behavioral therapists have come to Michigan and as a result the state "will naturally see the insurance claim activity increase with the providers," he said.
Calley said that while the goals laid in the plan are a "big, big job," the state needs to commit to "making progress every single day, even if it's a small step."
Published: Wed, Mar 20, 2013


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Last week we shared two clips from Wes Anderson's latest feature, Moonrise Kingdom, and now all of the clips released thus far are officially online. There are six clips in total and they're chock full of Anderson staples. The visuals are gorgeous, the actors look like they're having a blast, and the camera movements are undeniably Anderson-y. For those unfamiliar, the story centers on a young boy and girl who decide to run away together into the wilderness, and the madness that ensues from the community's search for the pair. I'm a big fan of Anderson so this one's been on my radar for a while, and these clips only serve to reinforce my excitement for the film. Let the twee commence!
Hit the jump to check out the clips. The film stars Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Jason Schwartzman, Jared Gilman, and Kara Hayward. Moonrise Kingdom will open the Cannes Film Festival (in-competition) and will open in limited release on May 25th.
Here's the official synopsis for Moonrise Kingdom:
Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, MOONRISE KINGDOM tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore — and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle. Bruce Willis plays the local sheriff. Edward Norton is a Khaki Scout troop leader. Bill Murray and Frances McDormand portray the young girl's parents. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as the boy and girl.


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I just added a bunch of new books to my Audible wish list! Thanks, @TEDTalks!
The tables in bookstores can be overwhelming: Every book cover looks appealing, every blurb glows with praise. Sometimes, you just need a recommendation from a human, someone you trust. Below, 10 members of the TED community — with very different points of view — share the books they think you'll enjoy this summer. Their selections are wonderfully untethered to new releases and bestsellers, with a little something for everyone.
Mind-bending fiction, picked by David Eagleman
David Eagleman is a neuroscientist whose sensory vest may just expand the limits of human perception. But this TED speaker is also a writer — of both fiction (his Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives has been translated into 28 languages) and nonfiction (Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain was a bestseller). His recommendations highlight mind-bending fiction:
Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges. "An inspiration that never runs out of batteries for me…
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Thirty-one students from Cass Technical High School visited Wayne State University Law School on Friday, March 7, to learn about becoming lawyers, despite any obstacles that might stand in their way.
The students, mostly ninth-graders, began Discover Law Day hearing 2008 Wayne Law alumnus Terrence Thompson talk about his life – how he dropped out of high school, became a thief and sold drugs, and then turned it around to go to college and law school and become the co-founder and CEO of Networkingout LLC of Detroit.
Discover Law Day is about encouraging African-Americans and other minorities to go to law school and become part of the justice system and the legal profession, which today doesn't reflect the growing diversity in society.
Felicia Thomas, director of recruitment and enrollment at Wayne Law, spoke first during the event, which was sponsored by Wayne Law's Admissions Office, WSU GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) and Wayne Law's Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights.
"My job is recruiting law students," she told the teens as she introduced Thompson. "The point of Discover Law is to increase the number of attorneys of color. We are nowhere near being represented in this profession, and you can do just about anything with a law degree."
Being an attorney gave Thompson the experience and knowledge to become an entrepreneur, he said. He talked about growing up poor on the south side of Ypsilanti.
"Where I'm from, I didn't know any lawyers, I didn't know any doctors, I didn't know any engineers," he said.
His life changed dramatically when he was in eighth grade and his mother and her four children began living with a man who had four children of his own.
The man's treatment of Thompson became a problem, and the boy was sent to live with an aunt and grandmother. Feeling betrayed and resentful, Thompson started doing poorly in school for the first time in his life and flunked the eighth grade.
Then, his aunt, who was supporting the household, lost her job.
"So, we were poor as dirt," Thompson said. "Things really got bad for me."
He moved in with a 20-year-old sister.
"I was harboring so much anger and bitterness," Thompson said. "Every day in high school, I went to school angry. I would cuss you and fight you at the drop of a dime."
He began to steal from stores and sell the stuff at school to have money. He began to sell drugs.
"I did a lot of foolish stuff," Thompson said.
In 1996, with failing grades, he heard his friends talk excitedly about going to college soon. He knew that wasn't going to happen for him, so he dropped out of school and worked odd jobs and sold drugs.
After a few years, his friends, now college students, would come home and tell him of their great experiences. Thompson realized he wanted what they had. In 1998, he was working as a housekeeping supervisor at a motel and he got in an argument with his boss. Something sparked inside him.
"I walked off the job and went to the closest community college I could find," Thompson said.
He was advised to get his GED, so he studied and did well when he took the test. He began attending Washtenaw Community College and did well there.
"That got the juices flowing," Thompson said.
He went to Eastern Michigan University and excelled there, graduating with a degree in political science in 2002 after three years.
Then, he went to work as an aide for U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and saw people making a difference in Washington, D.C. Many of them were attorneys.
"After one year, I came back to Michigan and started studying for the LSAT," he said.
Thompson didn't get a great score, but Wayne Law officials considered his life experiences and admitted him.
He graduated in the top 20 percent of his class.
"It's a lesson in hard work," he told the teens. "There were days when I would study 10 to 12 hours a day."
He was president at Wayne Law of the Black Law Students Association and involved in student government and many other aspects of law school.
"I refined my leadership ability," Thompson said.
In 2008, he graduated and took the bar exam, scoring in the top 1 percent in the nation on the multi-state portion of the test.
"I made up my mind that no one – absolutely no one – was going to work harder than I did," he said. "I wanted to be a corporate attorney. I did that for 5½ years. For me, being a lawyer was a means to an end."
One day, he and a friend, Wayne Law student Shawn Blanchard, were talking and realized that they were getting out of shape physically and that so were many of their friends. They were concerned, too, about the epidemic of obesity in Detroit. Using Facebook, they set up a running event that drew about 30 people.
Since then, the fitness movement they started has grown dramatically, and in 2012, they formed Networkingout LLC, a health and wellness startup company.
On Jan. 30, Thompson left his job as an attorney with Bodman PLC to devote himself full time to his new venture.
"Leaving a legacy is extremely important to me," Thompson said. "What's more important than giving someone a new lease on life?"
The Cass Tech students said they were inspired by his talk.
"It doesn't matter what you want to be, if you work hard you'll get where you want to be," said 10th-grader Ayanna King after hearing Thompson speak.
Ninth-grader Beania Seupersad, who wants to be a lawyer, said, "I can do the same thing. He inspired me to work a little harder."
The students then broke into groups. One group held a mock trial in Wayne Law's Moot Courtroom, and the other formed a "jury" to sentence a fictional 17-year-old caught selling drugs for the first time. They talked about Thompson's experiences and about second chances, they talked about the law and they talked about what it truly means to have a jury of one's peers.
Thomas pointed out that the skills they were using to negotiate and reason as a "jury" were the same skills needed to go to law school and be an attorney.
"You have the ability," she told the teens.
Wayne Law first-year student Cecil Roberson of Detroit chatted with the teens about his own life and advised them to make good use of opportunities, such as Discover Law Day.
"You've got to keep evolving and just keep growing," Roberson said.


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Chloe, me, Ming and Paige at King's Park
Happy 2009! Just a short post to say 'Hi!' and Thank you for all your lovely emails - I am very well, just really busy having a Great, Great time enjoying my family these holidays! I have a Huge, no, GIANT post coming up with so many photos to share you won't believe! I've had a really busy but extremely fulfilling time over the last six months and I'm going to tell you all about it in my upcoming post. And of course, not to mention a Gorgeous little recipe for a SEXY cupcake! So Stay Tuned!
Before I go though, I want to wish all of you a Blessed 2009 from my Family to yours - I hope 2009 will be the year that things that truly matter will happen for you, that you will find Love, families will be reunited, relationships will be cherished and most of all, that you will find God, because, when you do, everything else will fall into place!
One last thing, before I really zip off.. I have the pleasure of presenting to you, a new member of the Rodé-Chong family! Drum roll please!
Introducing.. 'Puppy'! our Budgie. For the longest time, the Girls and Ming have been bugging me for a Puppy, but Mom knows Best, our circumstances and habits hardly allows for it - so, we got a Bird instead and named him 'Puppy'! Not a bad idea, don't you think?
See you all real soon!
Carol xoxo
Friday, January 23, 2009
Hey There Everyone!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Cream Cheese-stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes
I turned 40 over the weekend. I did not wake up to find extra fine lines on my face or new crows' feet at the corner of my eyes. It wasn't raining buckets and the sky wasn't a gloomy grey. On the contrary! The sky was the prettiest blue and the odd cloud or two were like cotton -candy suspended in the air. And me? well, I was 40 and fabulous! So sue me! The way I see it, '40' is just another number and you are only as old as you feel. Anyway, we picked Chloe up from a sleep-over party a little past 10.30 am and then we were off to pick up Aquilla. Yes, I'm allowed to say his name now. A Q U I L L A. My 14 year-old daughter, Chloe's boyfriend, that is. Chloe and Aquilla have been 'going out' for about a month, now. And on the 12th of July, on my Birthday, it was official. It was official because he finally got Ming's permission to date our daughter. The 12th of July was the day that the whole family got to 'bond' with Aquilla.
Since they started this relationship, Chloe and Aquilla have been THE topic of conversation among their friends and ours. There has been expressions of sheer surprise as well as hush-hush gossiping, snickering, glares of disapproval and of envy from people we know and people we don't as a result of this young relationship. A few genuinely concerned friends asked me if I approved of this relationship. 'Approve'? I rejoice in it. I celebrate it. What's not to approve? Love is the most beautiful gift from God and Young Love is no different if there is loving support, guidance and understanding from parents. To put it in a blunt way, your kids are going to have relationships with or without your approval. The only difference is whether they let you in on their lives when they have these relationships. Do the math.
So.. continuing what I was saying earlier on, we picked Aquilla up from his home and proceeded to have lunch in one of our favorite restaurants, 'Little Seoul'. Aquilla was understandably nervous at first, being around 'the father'- the more 'intimidating parent ' as he puts it. I had gone shopping with the the girls and Aquilla the Thursday before, and we had broken the ice then. Ming was 'on the other side of the fence' (being 'the father', not 'the boyfriend) for the first time too, and I could tell he was 'fumbling' , not knowing for sure how to handle the situation. He told Aquilla a couple of embarrassing 'home truths' about Chloe which did break the ice but got Chloe a little grieved. Poor Chloe. After Lunch, we grabbed some cakes and slices from David Jones then headed for home.
Once we got home, I put out some tea and coffee and got out the cakes and the monopoly set. It was bonding time. I would say this day spent with Aquilla put our minds at ease as to where this young relationship was going. Parenting and Life doesn't come with a manual and we are learning the 'operations' one day at a time. One thing is for sure, I want to be a vital part of my daughters' lives, and if I have to break the 'mold' of this society's 'norms' and 'values' - so be it.
Chloe and Aquilla
Now.. let's talk cake, shall we? Ever since I came back from my Holiday, it's like I've been put under a 'Bad Cake Spell'! Every new recipe I've tried has been less than passable. To be fair though, I must admit that I am a terrible, terrible 'Cake Snob'. Don't misunderstand, I am not making an apology here. If the recipe is not up to my standards, I absolutely refuse to share it. So now you know why I haven't been posting for so long. I pondered over and over as to whether I would share this recipe. It's not the worst recipe I've tried, neither is it one of the best. But if I am to continue to post, I guess I will have to stop being such a perfectionist all the time.
Paige, Chloe and Aquilla
There were a few reasons why I wasn't 'comfortable' with this recipe. First, there was no BUTTER! This recipe requires 'Vegetable Oil' instead. ( If this had been a Sponge,it would have been ok) This almost sounded vulgar to me. Then, the recipe required the inclusion of Chocolate Chips ( which I omitted and replaced with melted dark chocolate) in the cream cheese filling in the center. The texture just felt all wrong in my head. The other ingredient I didn't approve of was instant coffee. I substituted that with Espresso. And the frosting.. how can I put this,.. The chocolate frosting was made from cocoa powder, not chocolate. It tasted artificial. It was rich but not satisfying, like a mocha made with chocolate flavored syrup for example, as opposed to a mocha made with real Belgian Chocolate. Do you know what I mean? I went with the recipe just to see how it would turn out.For the benefit of those of you who would like to try this recipe, I have altered the method of hiding the 'surprise' filling, so that it will not burst out of the cakes like magma from a volcano.
Ming, Paige, Aquilla and Chloe, skipping stones
We went for a walk in the Picturesque area where we live after our game and then we sent Aquilla home. I had a Birthday Dinner with the entire family after that at a new Vietnamese Restaurant in Victoria Park and then we returned to my place for Birthday Cake. It was lovely to have my sister Jacq bake me a Birthday Cake, as you can see, she's the artist in the family. Life is Good.
My Birthday Cake made by my extremely multi-talented and Gorgeous sister, Jacq
Look at the work Jacq put into decorating the cake! The mittens and choc-chip cookies are intricately fashioned with marzipan. Notice my computer on the oven? My Blog page is on it too! Thanks, Jacq! muaw!
The Rode/Chong Mob
I must get my Darling Photographer in one of the shots at least!
Cream Cheese-stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes
Adapted from this cookbook
for the filling
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup melted dark chocolate, cooled
for the cupcakes
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup Dutch -processed cocoa powder
2 tsps baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups hot water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsps white vinegar
1 shot espresso (optional)
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
For the chocolate frosting
8 tbsps unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
1 1/2 cups Dutch-processed cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1 cup Double cream
a dash of espresso (optional)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tsps pure vanilla extract
First, make the filling. Fit your mixer with the paddle attachment and beat the cream cheese until fluffy, scraping the bowl often. Blend in the egg yolk and vanilla and then add the sugar and melted dark chocolate. Mix well. Now, preheat the oven to 160 degrees celsius and line your preferred cupcake tins with paper liners.
To make the cupcakes, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In a large measuring jug, combine the water, oil, vinegar, espresso (if using) and vanilla. Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Fill each cupcake liner one-third full of batter, then add a dollop of the cream cheese filling into the center before adding more batter on top to bring the batter to two-thirds full. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cupcakes have puffed on top and are firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the tins.
To make the frosting, melt the butter in a large saucepan. Stir in the caster sugar, cocoa and salt. The mixture might look grainy or sandy and this is ok. Whisk the cream and espresso into the cocoa mixture and cook over low heat, while stirring to dissolve the sugar grains. The mixture should get hot to the touch but never simmer or boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Cool the frosting a little before putting in the fridge to thicken. Stir the frosting every 15 minutes or so . When the frosting has thickened, remove from the fridge into the mixer and whip very quickly to get the frosting fluffy. Fill the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle then pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes as desired.
Hey, Look at what's NEW in Perth! If you live in this Beautiful city and Love Cooking, Baking and Food in general, read on!
What is Food Lover's Link about?
The Food Lover's Link is the newest Foodie Club to hit Perth! It's a gathering of people with a common interest in cooking, baking and most of all, Eating! Anyone can join this link and it's aim is to create new friendships and bond present ones. Free Cooking and Baking demonstrations take place at these meetings followed by a tasting session. Eating out and writing food reviews is another activity of the Food Lover's Link. Members can volunteer to do cooking/baking demos if they wish and on occasions we may invite Guests to do this. Perhaps you have a recipe you want to share. Meetings are held on Saturdays on a fortnightly basis. Come along and join us, you might just enjoy yourself!
For more information on the Venue and time for the Upcoming meeting, e-mail Carol Rode - firstname.lastname@example.com or Tasia Limawan - firstname.lastname@example.com
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Matcha Love Hearts
"..Give, give in any way you can, of whatever you possess. To give is to love. To withhold is to wither. Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared and your life will have meaning and your heart will have peace."
-Author unknown
One of my favorite bookshops in Perth is the 'Inspiration Factory' in Subiaco. I hardly ever leave the place without a purchase. Just last Saturday, Ming, the girls and I were spending the afternoon in Subi - Ming had decided to give Badminton a miss and just hang out with us. We've all been so busy with our own stuff ever since we came back from our holiday, so I guess it seemed appropriate for us all to put everything aside and just spend some time together, just the four of us. We grabbed some lunch at Nippon, got lured into a couple of stores displaying their "Up to 70% off everything" sales banners before we settled down for some drinks at Dome. We talked about so many things - how Ming can spend more time with me before I looked for his replacement in the form of a Gorgeous, Romantic Korean man (wink, wink), we teased Chloe relentlessly about her new boyfriend 'A', we laughed, we cried (from laughing so much) and we ironed out a few 'issues' that have been bothering us.
Then, we made our way to the 'Inspiration Factory'. Being there was like taking a breath of fresh air. I came across a book I hadn't seen before, 'Blossom - Affirmations for Personal Growth' by Janine Brown. After flipping a couple of pages of the book, I knew I couldn't let it go. I just loved it so much - there were so many quotes that were my own believes, and some that I wanted to believe in and embrace. The virtue of Generosity, the act of giving and sharing is a reward in itself because it brings so much joy to it's recipients. I came across a post on 'Green Tea Sweets' - Cookies that looked like jeweled-encrusted pieces of Jade in Foodbeam last week and couldn't help reading on. The recipe for these beautiful cookies won Kelli Bernard of Amai Tea and Bake House the Finalist Award for Best Bakery Recipe in Pastryscoop.com's 2007 Golden Scoop Awards, and Kelli was generous enough to share her recipe with the whole world via her blog Lovescool.
These Matcha cookies have been the delight of so many Food Bloggers all over the globe since the release of it's recipe last year that I couldn't resist giving it a go myself, especially too, after my success with the Matcha Macarons last year. Besides reducing my oven temperature to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced) and using salted butter, I followed Kelli's recipe closely. Oh, and I decided to use a Love Heart cookie cutter instead of a leaf-shaped one. After all, giving , sharing and love are inter-connected! The result was a distinctively Aromatic and buttery cookie with a delicate crumb.The slight bitterness of the matcha was complimented by the pretty sugar coating.
Matcha Love Hearts (Green Tea Sweets)
Yield : Approx 25 2' Love Heart Cookies
3/4 cup/ 2.25 oz/ 64 g Icing sugar
5 oz/142 g Salted butter, cut into cubes
1 3/4 cup/ 8.5 oz/ 241 g All-purpose flour
3 Large egg yolks
1.5 TBS Matcha (powdered green tea)
1 cup Granulated sugar (for coating)
* Preheat the oven to 180C/ 350F( 160C fan-forced). Line a cookie sheet with baking paper.
* Whisk the icing sugar and green tea together in a bowl.
* Add the butter and green tea/sugar mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix until combined and smooth.
* Add the flour and mix until well combined.
* Add the egg yolks and mix just until the eggs are fully incorporated and a mass forms.
* Form the dough into a disk and chill in the freezer for 10 minutes
* Roll the dough out to ½" thickness.
* Cut the dough with a Love Heart cookie cutter.
* Toss each cut cookie in a bowl of granulated sugar to coat.
* Place the sugar-coated cookie on the lined cookie sheet and bake at 180C/ 350F( 160C fan-forced) for 12-15 minutes, or until slightly golden around the edges.
Kelli Bernard and the team at Amai Tea and Bake House recommend that these cookies be served with light and sweet white teas or an aromatic Oolong.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Singapore 2008!
Boat Quay - by Sudharshan Murthy
About 2 months before our holiday, I received a very heart warming e-mail from my Best Friend Miti. It reads like this:
'I've got an assignment in Hong Kong on the dates that you'll be here and Eugene will bring the kids over to meet me . I would like for you, Ming and the girls to stay atmy new place. I guarantee that you'll like it. It's only a 10 minute walk from the MRT station. You and Ming can use my room and the girls can either share a room if they like or they can use the kid's rooms. Call it house-sitting!
When you stay here, you do not need to bring anything … not even your toothbrushes . My domestic helper will be here, she will change the bed sheets, clean after you and even feed you. Just tell Ani (her name), I would like Assam Pork, Gado-Gado and Onde Onde for dinner … she'll know what to do! There's no need to have the keys as Ani will be home except for Sunday. You can get the keys from her if you like. Feel free to use our home like it's your own and tell Ani if there's anything else you might need.
Some facts about my place –
There are 5 bedrooms plus 1 maid's room.
3 bathrooms and plus one toilet.
You can use the computers, they're in the office on the third floor
The supermarket is 10 minutes walk from my place
Get the Car Keys from Ani if you would like to use the car
There's a Bus Stop just outside our place too
The swimming pool is right at the door step, there's a gym as well.
The kitchen is open concept – you can cook whatever you like, we have both outdoor and indoor cooking. It's usually well stocked; you can get your milk and eggs from the supermarket when they run out, or you can send Ani to get it.
Since my kids are all young, they are perfectly happy to bunk in with us on the floor – we have loads of extra mattresses and they love sleepover parties! So,there's no need for you to move when we return from our trip. We've got enough room for everyone. I think I've covered everything … let me know what else you need.
Happy house sitting!
Love, Miti '
Wouldn't you just LOVE to have a friend like this? A Friend like Miti is like a Hug from God. Coincidently we were making accommodation arrangements when she so generously offered us to stay in her home, and what a home it is!
The main entrance opens up to the pools
Paige, enjoying a snack after a dip in the pool
Chloe and Paige - what are they doing??!
This is THE life!
Paige sure knows how to relax..
How to make 'Lemper' - 'Lemongrass infused Glutinous Rice wrapped around Spicy Chicken. Ani is a great cook! We enjoyed 3 meals prepared by her this trip.
Ani wrapping up the 'Lemper' for our tea time treat..
Our favorite place to eat when we're out and about shopping is at the 'Food Republic' . We've been to two of these chain food courts so far, one with a ' yesteryear village' simulation theme and the other with an 'old library' theme.
Deciding where to go after a satisfying meal at Food Republic, Suntec City
Don't you just love the colors in this pic?
Paige and I posing for a photo. Notice the 'books' behind us? This Food Republic chain is the one with the 'Old Library' theme. Very cosy indeed..
A Roast Chicken Rice set
Beef Bulgogi
Chicken Bibimbap
'Loh Bak'- an assortment of fried snacks
Singapore Laksa
Notice the 'Old Village' theme decor? I love those colored shutters..
What about the suspended antique Bicycles and Bird Cages? Cool, huh?
Ming and I
What do you do when you meet up with relatives? Eat Of course! Ming's uncle who is an ardent Fishing and Boating fan, invited us to the Singapore Yacht Club for Dinner one evening. The Dinner was great - we got to 'hand-pick' our seafood and have it cooked the way we wanted. I didn't take any photos of the food though, I thought it would be rude to let everybody wait while I positioned their food this way and that while I snapped. After dinner as the sun was setting, I excused myself from the table and took these shots..
The Yacht Club Restaurant
This is what serenity looks like
So peaceful..
Again, Ahhh...
The pool by the restaurant
Can someone help me with this caption? I don't really want to say 'Ahhh..' again
Wouldn't you like to spend an evening here?
Paige came looking for mommy
The girls dipping their feet
On our last trip here, we had the pleasure of meeting the Gorgeous Annette Tan of 'Greedy Goose'. This trip, Annette invited us over to her place for Dinner - she cooked up a storm of the yummiest Peranakan fare, a Eurasian Devilled Curry, A Berry Clafoutis (?) and served up flavor after flavor of the most beautiful home-made ice-creams! We had the privilege of meeting Mervin, Annette's very cute and youthful-looking partner, her good friend Deborah and her lovely, lovely critters Ralph and Oxford.
The Feast..
Annette and the girls
Annette, the girls and the frolicking hounds!
The great thing about going to S'pore is that I get to catch-up with old friends. I've known Yean , Dee and Stefan since my school days. We met for Dinner at 'Bayang' , an Indonesian restaurant in Clarke Quay and later for coffee and cake at 'Nectarie'.
We passed a quirky looking bar on the way to Dinner - 'C Clinic'- all the seats are either wheelchairs or hospital bed look-alike thingys. What a strange concept!
See what I mean?
Another Bar - this time a Moroccan Shisha Bar. Don't you just love the lighting at the entrance?
A group of Latin Dancers at the Samba Lounge (I forget the name)posing for a shot
Here we are at our Dinner venue - 'Bayang' which means 'shadows'
The 'Shadow Puppets' at 'Bayang'
The girls on the left, then across, Ming, Dee and Yean sitting at the far end
Most of us ordered this - Spicy Grilled Chicken
Ming's order of 'Bebek Panggang' - Grilled Duck
Paige's favorite side dish - Stirfriend Sambal Kangkong (Watercress). Behind that are our drink orders of 'Chendol' and Avacado shakes
My little poser, Paige
Our Dessert Venue, 'Nectarie'
My Good Buddie, Stefan, Ming and I
Say 'Cheese'!
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Mango Mousse Cake
Raspberry and Gianduja Mousse
New York Cheesecake
There are two other people that I adore in Singapore and they are Stefan's Dad and Mom, Chee Nan and Mei Ho. They are like parents to me. This time around, Uncle Chee Nan was out of town but I managed to pay Aunty Mei a visit..
The girls, Aunty Mei and I at Aunty Mei's 'Heartroom Gallery' in Owen Road near Farrer Park MRT. Mei Ho is a Brilliant Folk Artist. She conducts folk art painting classes at the gallery and does pieces on commission. Proceeds from the sale of her work goes to the Church. She's an AMAZING lady and a great inspiration to me.
The girls showing off their gifts from Aunty Mei
Two days before I left Singapore, Miti returned from her trip to Hong Kong and we did what two best friends do. We hung out, went for a massage, and had meals together. We didn't get to visit 'Lodger' (Roger) my Reflexologist in China Town this time around though, which is unfortunate, but I will make a point of doing so on our next trip.
Miti and I
Miti and her wonderful doting husband, Eugene
We had dinner at the 'Soup Restaurant'. Unfortunately we only remembered to take photos of two of the dishes we had. This is their Signature Homemade Egg Tofu.
Stewed Pork Ribs
This concludes my report on my Singapore vacation. I hope you've enjoyed reading this post. Loading so many photos was a pain in the bum! Have a great weekend, everyone!


text:
I had been wanting to have some Speed Racer ringtones and finally found the MP3 file that I would need to make the ringtones. I downloaded Audacity so that I can make these ringtones. The attached ZIP file has three different ringtones incorporated in it.
They are as follows:
- Go Speed Racer Go
- Here Comes Speed Racer
- Speed Racer Intro
Hope that you all enjoy these ringtones!
Speed Racer Theme Ringtones.zip


text:
Syria Targeted Journalists: Report
Intercepted communication between Syrian army officers reportedly revealed that they had pledged to "kill any journalist who set foot on Syrian soil"—resulting in the death of American journalist Marie Colvin and French photographer Rémi Ochlik on Wednesday, Britain's Telegraph reported. Witnesses said Colvin and Ochlik were killed by a rocket-propelled grenade as they tried to exit a house used by foreign journalists. In intelligence intercepted by Lebanon, Syrian army officers allegedly said they would target the journalists and then claim they had been killed in crossfire with "terrorist groups." Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said London would "redouble their efforts" to end "Assad's campaign of terror," while French President Nicolas Sarkozy said "enough is enough. This regime must go." London summoned their ambassador to Damascus in protest of killing of Colvin, who worked was working as a correspondent for the Sunday Times.
Colvin Had Planned to Leave Syria
The mother of one of the journalists slain in Syria said her daughter had been planning to leave the country but stayed an extra day to finish reporting a story "she felt was very important." Rosemarie Colvin told Newsday that her daughter, Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin was "totally dedicated to getting the story straight and getting it out." Colvin and French photographer Rémi Ochlik were killed by shelling in Homs on Wednesday while two other journalists were wounded when rockets hit the house they were staying in. Very few foreign journalists have been allowed in Syria, and the Syrian government on Wednesday ordered that all journalists who have "entered Syria illegally" to report to the nearest immigration center. Colvin and Ochlik had reportedly been smuggled into Syria.
A Fearless Reporter by Christopher Dickey
Marie Colvin, who was killed by Syrian shelling in Homs today, put her life at risk to report on atrocities from Sri Lanka to Baghdad. Her friend Christopher Dickey remembers her tenacity.
Marie Colvin, who was killed by Syrian shelling in Homs today, put her life at risk to report on atrocities from Sri Lanka to Baghdad. Her friend Christopher Dickey remembers her tenacity.
"I think the reports of my survival may be exaggerated. [I am] in Baba Amr," she wrote. That neighborhood of Homs has become the focal point of resistance to the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, and in retribution its people and their lightly armed defenders have been subjected to more than two weeks of relentless pounding by government artillery. "Sickening," wrote Marie. "[I] cannot understand how the world can stand by and I should be hardened by now. Watched a baby die today. Shrapnel, doctors could do nothing. His little tummy just heaved and heaved until he stopped. Feeling helpless. As well as cold! Will keep trying to get out the information."
The Story Marie Died To Tellby Peter Bouckaert
Journalist Marie Colvin was killed in Syria on Wednesday, reporting the horrors from Homs. Human Rights Watch director Peter Bouckaert recalls his friend's extraordinary personality and courage—and the story Marie paid with her life to tell.
Marie Colvin, the celebrated American war reporter who died in Homs on Wednesday, together with the young French photographer Rémi Ochlik, looked every bit the part of a war reporter.
She took to wearing a black patch over the eye she lost when shot in the civil war in Sri Lanka in 2001, and always seemed to have a notepad and a pen in her hand. She was inevitably in the midst of war's chaos before the rest of us got there, proudly filing, as she did on Tuesday, as "the only British newspaper journalist" at the scene. She was a legend to all of us who cover conflict, and universally beloved for her inspiring courage and deep commitment to the work of reporting.
Marie Colvin, My Courageous Friendby T.D. Allman
The American journalist killed in Syria on Wednesday was a courageous warrior on the side of the oppressed, writes her colleague T.D. Allman.
Bangkok Feb. 22, 2012 What caused me to turn on the TV in late afternoon in Bangkok, something I have never done before?
There was the news from Homs about Marie, my friend since 1988. We met at the Palestine National Congress in Algiers that year. Later in Baghdad four of us would play poker every night. The other three each had a private bottle of whiskey. I'd drink wine. Sometimes we'd drink second and third bottles, and then at dawn the next morning be heading to ... Once we had an actual appointment in Samara.
Reactions to Colvin's Death
British Prime Minister David Cameron and News Corp. head Rupert Murdoch (who owns The Sunday Times of London) both paid their respects to Colvin. Cameron did so during his question-and-answer session with Parliament.
"This is a desperately sad reminder of the risks that journalists take to inform the world of what is happening and the dreadful events in Syria, and our thoughts should be with her family and with her friends," Cameron told Parliament, calling Colvin "talented and respected."
Murdoch told staff members in an email that he was upset by the loss and that the company was doing all it could to recover Colvin's body, which was reportedly still beneath rubble.
"It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Marie Colvin, one of the most outstanding foreign correspondents of her generation, who was killed in Homs in Syria today while reporting for The Sunday Times," Murdoch wrote in the email.
"She was a victim of a shell attack by the Syrian army on a building that had been turned into an impromptu press centre by the rebels … Our photographer, Paul Conroy, was with her and is believed to have been injured. We are doing all we can in the face of shelling and sniper fire to get him to safety and to recover Marie's body."
The Sunday Times's editor John Witherow also shared condolences, saying he was in "great shock" at Colvin's passing.
"Marie was an extraordinary figure in the life of The Sunday Times, driven by a passion to cover wars in the belief that what she did mattered," he wrote in a statement.
"But she was much more than a war reporter. She was a woman with a tremendous joie de vivre, full of humor and mischief and surrounded by a large circle of friends, all of whom feared the consequences of her bravery."